Tubular fastener setting power tool

ABSTRACT

A tool for collapsing internally threaded tubular blind fasteners is formed by securing a special bit in the chuck of a rotary hand-held reversible power tool and retaining an annular pressure ring to the body of the tool so that it surrounds the bit. The pressure ring has a magnetic surface adapted to retain the flange of a tubular fastener when the unthreaded pilot section of the bit extends through the thread of the fastener. The pressure ring is spring loaded in its forward position and when the fastener is inserted in its installing hole and forward pressure is exerted through the tool against the flange, the pressure ring retracts allowing a threaded section on the bit to engage the fastener and collapse it axially. The tool is then reversed to free the bit from the set fastener.

Y v United States Patent 11 1 [111 3,871,203 Wellin Mar. 18, 1975TUBULAR FASTENER SETTINGPOWER Primary Examiner-C. W. Lanham TOOLAssistant Examiner-Gene P. Crosby [75] Inventor: Martin Wellin, OakPark, Mich. Attorney Agent or F'rm Krass & Young [73] Assignee: U.S.Industrial Tool & Supply Co., v [57] ABSTRACT v Detmlt A tool forcollapsing internally threaded tubular blind 22 Filed; Man 25, 1974fasteners is formed by securing a special bit in the chuck of a rotaryhand-held reversible power tool and [21] Appl 454380 retaining anannular pressure ring to the body of the tool so that it surrounds thebit. The pressure ring has [52] U.S. Cl. 72/114 a magnetic surfaceadapted to retain the flange of a 51 1m. (:1 B21 j 15/34 tubularfastener when the unthreaded Pilot section of [58] Field of Search72/114, 391 the bit extends through the thread of the fastener- Thepressure ring is spring loaded in its forward position 5 R f nce Citedand when the fastener is inserted in; its installing hole UNITED STATESPATENTS and forward pressure is exerted through the tool against theflange, the pressure ring retracts allowing a 2,753,072 7/l956 Mltchell72/39] 3,197,987 8/1965 Martin 72/114 threaded Seem" the engage thefastener and collapse it axially. The tool is then reversed to free theI bit from the set fastener.

5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 1 TUBULAR F ASTENER SETTING POWER TOOLBACKROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to tools for setting collapsiblescrew threaded blind fastenersand more particularly to attachments which can be secured toconventional reversible rotary power tools to convert them for use incollapsing fasteners.

2. Prior Art Tubular fasteners having a flange disposed at one end andan internally threaded section disposed at the other end are commonlyemployed as rivets to join a pair of sheets or plates or as femalethreaded fasteners. These fasteners may be inserted into a blind holeuntil the flange abuts the accessible side of the hole and then lockedin place by pulling the threaded end toward the flange end so that theintermediate fastener wall collapses outwardly.

Tools for setting these fasteners have typically consisted of hand heldfluid or electrically powered reversible rotary tools designed so thatthe bit may be powered to move axially as well as in the rotationalmode. The bit is inserted through the flanged end of an uncollapsedfastener disposed in its supporting hole and rotated so that the bitengages the threaded section at the far end. The tool is then retractedaxially, collapsing the fastener and then rotated in the reversedirection to free the bit from the fastener. In another class of settingtools the bit is only rotatable and depends upon the axial force exertedby the rotating bits engagement with the threaded aperture in thefastener to collapse the fastener. Since hand held reversible rotarypower tools are readily available, an attachment for such conventionaltools which would convert them to a form useful in setting tubularcollapsible fasteners would be desirable.

The present invention contemplates a setting tool for tubular fastenersof the type depending upon the rotation of bit in the fastener toachieve axial collapse of the fastener, which is simple in constructionso as to be low in cost and reliable in operation. More particularly,the present invention contemplates an attachment which may be readilysecured to a conventional reversible hand held rotary power tool toconvert it into a tubular fastener setting device as contemplated by thebroader aspects of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention broadly takes the form of areversible hand-held rotatable power tool having a bit with anunthreaded pilot section at its forward end adapted to pass through thethread of a tubular fastener, and a threaded section formed on the bitadjacent to the pilot section. An annular pressure pad is supported onthe tool housing so as to surround the bit at the rear of the threadedsection. A magnet on the pressure pad retains the flange of collapsiblefastener to the tool so that the pilot section of the bit extendsthrough the thread on the fastener. The pressure pad is supported formovement toward the tool body, against a spring bias, when forwardpressure is exerted on the tool pressing the fastener flange against theaccessible face of the sheet surrounding the hole in which the fasteneris inserted. As the pressure pad is forced rearwardly the threadedsection of the bit enters the thread of the fastener and withdraws thatsection, axially collapsing the fastener and securing it in its hole.The tool is then reversed allowing the bit to be withdrawn from thethreaded section.

. Attachment of the pressure pad to the cylindricalcollar of aconventional hand-held power tool is achieved by use of annular adapterring secured to the collar by set screws and having a threaded outersurface. A retaining ring for the pressure pad is threaded to theadapter. Another set screw secures the ring in a position on the adapterwhich sets the limit of axial motion of the pressure ring. 7

In use, when the pilot end of the bit is inserted through a loosetubular fastener from the flange end, the flange is attracted to themagnet allowing the tool to be used to insert the fastener in its hole.After is is inserted, forward pressure is exerted on the tool and thetool is powered to rotate in a direction so as to engage the threadedsection of the bit with the fastener to cause the fastener to collapse.The tool is then simply reversed allowing the bit to be withdrawn.

Other objectives, advantages and applications of the present inventionwill be made apparent by the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiment of the invention. The description makes referenceto accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tool for setting col- Iapsible tubularfasteners in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view through the tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view through the forward end of the toolof FIG. 1 and a collapsible fastener inserted in an aperture;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing the actionof the tool in collapsing the fastener; and

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing thecollapsed fastener.

Referring to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the fastenersetting device is built around a rotary hand tool 10. While tool 10 ispreferably of the pneumatic type, powered by an air line 12, it mightalternatively be hydraulicaly or electrically powered. The tool may beturned on by depressing a trigger 14 causing suitable motor within thetool (not shown) to rotate an output chuck 16. The direction of rotationof the chuck 16 may be reversed by depressing a button 18 located at thetop of the tool.

The bit retained in the chuck terminates in a cylindrical section 20having a length and diameter dependent upon the size of tubular fastenerthe tool is to be used with. The section 20 preferably slightly longerthan the threaded section within the fastener and has a diameter smallenough to allow it to easily pass through the threaded section.

The pilot section 20 of the bit is formed on the end of a cylindricalthreaded section 22 having a thread which mates with the internal threadon the threaded fastener. The section 22 has a length slightly greaterthan the uncollapsed length of the tubular fastener that the tool is tobe used with. The threaded section 22 terminates in a section 24 ofsuitable cross section for retention in the chuck 16 of the tool.

The tool 10 is further provided with a pressure ring which is generallycup shaped and comprises a cylindrical body 26, a radial forward face 28and an outwardly extending rear flange 30. The body 26 has one or morecut-aways or windows 32 formed in its side chuck l6.

The forward face 28 of the pressure ring has a central aperture 34through which the threaded section 22 of the bit passes. The forwardface 28 is recessed as at 36 and an annular magnet 38 is inset withinthe recess so that the forward face of the magnet extends out beyond theforward face of the pressure ring. The central hole in the magnet 38 isaligned with the hole 34 in the pressure ring.

Four pins 40 are affixed in holes formed through the rear flange 30 ofthe pressure ring and extend rearwardly from the ring. Their far endsmake sliding fits in apertures'42 formed in an annular adapter ring 44.Coil springs 45 surround the pins between the rear flange 30 and theadapter ring 44 and urge the pressure ring away from the adapter ring.Portions of the springs are retained in enlargement 46 formed in theforward ends of the recesses 42.

sive property or privilege is. claimed are defined asfollows:

The adapter ring 44 is affixed to a collar 48 forming the forward partof the tool housing by means of set screws 50. The outer diameter of theadapter ring 44 is threaded and mates with an internal thread formed ona cylindrical retaining ring 52. The retaining ring has an inwardlyextending forward flange 54 that terminates short of the body portion 26of the pressure ring. The flange 54 acts a forward stop for movement ofthe pressure ring. The springs 45 urge the pressure ring forwardly sothat the forward face of the rear flange 30 of the pressure normallyabuts the rear face of the forward flange 54 of the retaining ring. Thepins 40 act to slidingly support the pressure ring for movement relativeto the adapter ring 44 so that the pressure ring can be urged againstthe spring pressure until the rearward face of the rear flange 30 abutsthe forward face of the adapter ring 44.

The retaining 52 has an axial slot 56 formed forwardly from its rearedge. After the rotational position of the retaining ring 52 is adjustedon the adjuster ring 44 the retaining ring is rotated until the slot 56is over the nearest set screw hole of the adapter ring and a set screw58 is placed in the hole locking the ring in position. This controls theextent of axial movement of the pressure ring. j

A typical tubular fastener adapted to be operated upon by the tool 10,generally indicated at 60, has an internal threaded section 62 at itsforward end and an outwardly extending flange 64 at the opposite ends.The fastener may be used as a rivot, as for example, to join together apair of sheets 66 of metal, wood or plastic having a pair of alignedholes 68 through which the tubular section of the fastener passes.

To set the fastener in the holes the fastener is first slipped over thebit so that the ferrous flange 64 abuts and is retained at the forwardface of the magnet36. In this position the pilot section of the bitextends through threaded section 62 of the fastener and maintains thefastener in alignment on the bit. The fastener, while it is held on thetool, may be inserted through the aligned holes 68 until the flangerests against the exposed surface of the outer panels 66. The tool isthen pressed toward the panels causing the pressure ring 26 to moverearwardly against the bias springs 45, and bringing the threadedsection 22 of the bit into engagement with the internal threaded section62 of the fastener. Continued rotation of the bit draws the forward endof the fastener 62 rearwardly along the threaded l. A tool for setting atubular fastener having a flange at one end and an internally threadedsection at the other end, collapsible toward the flange to set thefastener in a hole, comprising: a manually supported drive unit forpowering a reversible chuck: an elongated bit having one end adapted tobe supported in the chuck, having a pilot section at the opposite endconfigured to pass through said threaded section on the fastener, and athreaded section on the bit adjacent to the pilot section adapted tothreadingly engage the threaded section on the fastener; an annularpressure pad supported on the power unit so as to surround the chuckarea for motion in the direction of the axis of the chuck; meanssupported on the pressure pad for retaining and engaging the flange of afastener; and means for biasing the pressure pad for motion toward thepilot end of the bit, whereby the pressure pad may retain and support atubular fastener so that the pilot section of the bit is disposed withinthe threaded end of the fastener, for insertion into a hole and thethreaded section of the bit will engage the threaded section of thefastener as the result of a force applied on the tool in the axis of thebit causing the pressure pad to move against its biasing means.

2. The tool of claim 1 wherein the distance between the threaded sectionof the bit and the means for retaining the flange of the fastener, whenthe pressure pad is disposed at its extreme of motion toward the pilotsection of the bit, is less than the distance between the flange and thethreaded section of the fastener.

3. The tool of claim 1 wherein said means for retaining the flange ofthe fastener on the pressure pad consists of a magnet supported on theforward surface of the pressure pad.

4. The tool of claim 1 including means for adjusting the limits ofmotion of the pressure pad.

5. An attachment for a manually supported tool having a reversiblerotatable spindle to adapt the tool for setting tubular fasteners havinga flange at one end and an internally threaded section at the other endwhich is collapsible toward the flange to set the fastener, comprising:an elongated bit having one end adapted to be supported in the spindleof the tool, having a pilot section with cross-sectional dimensionsallowing it to pass through the internal thread on the fastener on theother end, and having a threaded section adapted to engage the internalthread on the fastener formed adjacent to the pilot section: an annularpressure ring for engaging and supporting the flange of the fastener:means for supporting said ring on the nonrotary section of the tool sothat it surrounds the bit and is slidable axially with respect to thebit; and means for biasing said pressure ring toward its axial positionwherein it is displaced from the stationary section of the tool.

1. A tool for setting a tubular fastener having a flange at one end andan internally threaded section at the other end, collapsible toward theflange to set the fastener in a hole, comprising: a manually supporteddrive unit for powering a reversible chuck: an elongated bit having oneend adapted to be supported in the chuck, having a pilot section at theopposite end configured to pass through said threaded section on thefastener, and a threaded section on the bit adjacent to the pilotsection adapted to threadingly engage the threaded section on thefastener; an annular pressure pad supported on the power unit so as tosurround the chuck area for motion in the direction of the axis of thechuck; means supported on the pressure pad for retaining and engagingthe flange of a fastener; and means for biasing the pressure pad formotion toward the pilot end of the bit, whereby the pressure pad mayretain and support a tubular fastener so that the pilot section of thebit is disposed within the threaded end of the fastener, for insertioninto a hole and the threaded section of the bit will engage the threadedsection of the fastener as the result of a force applied on the tool inthe axis of the bit causing the pressure pad to move against its biasingmeans.
 2. The tool of claim 1 wherein the distance between the threadedsection of the bit and the means for retaining the flange of thefastener, when the pressure pad is disposed at its extreme of motiontoward the pilot section of the bit, is less than the distance betweenthe flange and the threaded section of the fastener.
 3. The tool ofclaim 1 wherein said means for retaining the flange of the fastener onthe pressure pad consists of a magnet supported on the forward surfaceof the pressure pad.
 4. The tool of claim 1 including means foradjusting the limits of motion of the pressure pad.
 5. An attachment fora manually supported tool having a reversible rotatable spindle to adaptthe tool for setting tubular fasteners having a flange at one end and aninternally threaded section at the other end which is collapsible towardthe flange to set the fastener, comprising: an elongated bit having oneend adapted to be supported in the spindle of the tool, having a pilotsection with cross-sectional dimensions allowing it to pass through theinternal thread on the fastener on the other end, and having a threadedsection adapted to engage the internal thread on the fastener formedadjacent to the pilot section: an annular pressure ring for engaging andsupporting the flange of the fastener: means for supporting said ring onthe nonrotary section of the tool so that it surrounds the bit and isslidable axially with respect to the bit; and means for biasing saidpressure ring toward its axial position wherein it is displaced from thestationary section of the tool.